Royal College's 42nd
Colombo Scout Troop recently celebrated its 45th anniversary at the
Navarangahala in Colombo. Among the distinguished guests was its founder
of Scouting, Brevet Liutenant Colonel Mac Kusseen James Cantlay,
ED, JP, who celebrates his 77th birthday on March 13, 1990.

The climax of the
celebration marked Capt. S Wignarajah presenting Col. Cantlay the
Challenge Shield for the best Senior Scout - A fitting sequel to the Medal
of Merit he received in 1969 for Outstanding Serrvices from the Chief
Scout Commissioner, Fitzroy H Gunasekera, at the Silver Jubilee
celebrations.

A onetime smart
Commanding Officer of the 3rd Battalion of the Ceylon Cadet Corps (CCC),
Col. Cantlay in one instance gave the cadet Contingent a pleasant surprise
when he addressed the throng over the tannoy in impeccable Sinhala!
Besides other subjects, he used to teach English and Sinhala; both
Language and Literature!

At present he lives in
his self-built, comfortable quarters at the Mahaiyawa Home for the Elders
in the cool climes of Kandy. He continues to teach and train youth in
language and life, correspond with a spate of past pupils, scouts, cadets,
and old cronies, and extends his invaluable advice on scout-craft and on
various matters whenever approached.

The origins of
Scouting falls back to a trial encampment on Brownsea Island off the
southern coast of England. After this event, the Boy Scouts was founded in
1908 by a hero of the Boer War, Sir Robert Stephenson Smyth (later Lord
Baden Powell of Gilwell, OM, GCMG, GCVO, KCB. LL, D) or more popularly
known as BP.

In the USA, the Boy
Scouts of America (BSA) is chartered by Congress, and the President of the
US is honorary president. Over here, the President of Sri lanka is the
Chief Scout.

In 1934, Cantlay
started his First Scout Troop in his home-town, Gampola, at St Joseph's
School, where he began his teaching career. Four years later, he revived
an almost "dead" Scout Troop at the Nawalapitiya St Mary's
College which he could boast of an erstwhile student0scout who recently
became the District Commissioner of Colombo.

Cantlay joined the
Royal College staff on September 13, 1943 - just one day after the amazing
abduction of Il Duce Benito Mussolini by Hitler's dynamic commando, SS-Lt.
Col Oto Skorzeny, at the height of WWII. It was on that sunny Friday of
June 16, 1944 - ten days after the historic D-Day Allied Invasion of
Europe had got off the ground - that young Cantlay urged Principal EL
Bradby to start a Scout Troop.

Twenty-three boys
attended the first meeting conducted by Woolbadge Scouter, MKJ Cantlay. He
continued as a Group Scout Master (GSM) for a quarter century until his
retirement on March 31, 1969, on which day he handed over the Group to
scouter, ND Gunawardhana.

Although the Scout
Movement was introduced in Ceylon in 1912, the time lag in establishing a
troop at Royal College was due to the prevailing concept that Scouting was
incompatible with Cadeting, which had notched a distinguished mark in the
College curricula. Cantlay successfully disproved such doctrine.

Cantlay's enthusiastic
influence not only molded the Scouts of Royal College into brave and
resourceful individuals, but also imparted to them a keen sense of
scouting which was essentially intended to develop their character by
especially open-air activity. Of the numerous "heroes" he
molded, one was the late Surgeon Commodore Lakdasa Dissanayake, MS, FRCS
(Eng & Edin).

Scouts who had the
privilege of Cantlay's tutorship would reminisce on the memorable campings;
the life saving lessons and first aid; the educative visits to historical
places; the arduous but adventurous climbing of mountains; the
long-winding treks along rugged footpaths; the organizing of rallies and
fellowship camps, where groups of Scouts, Girl-Guides, Rangers and Rovers
used to meet and greet, exchange news and views; the overall general
training in Scouting proper, conforming with the "Be Prepared"
motto; all of which were remarkably organized with success by that Wizard
of Scoutcraft, Lt. Colonel Cantlay, the indefatigable GSM of 42nd Colombo,
a Scouter of high caliber.

During his 25-year
stint as GSM, the unbounded co-operation he received from the parents of
pupils, the principals, the senior teachers, and the senior scouts
encouraged and spurred him to higher levels of pursuance in the progress
and welfare of 42nd Colombo in particular and the Scout Movement in
general.

Teacher, Group Scouter,
Cadet Contingent Commander, Physical Training Instructor, Lt. Col. Cantlay
underscored his capacity in finding time to spare for the benefit of those
troops in the district branch association, where he was Asst. District
Commissioner for six years. On his retirement he was appointed as Kandy
District Badge Examiner.

Apart from the praise
he received from Principal EL Bradby and Vice Principal JCA Corea of Royal
College, the encomiums showered on him by Fitzroy H Gunasekera (Chief
Commissioner), R Abraham (District Commissioner), and Bogoda Premaratne
(Principal) in the 1969 Silver Jubilee Souvenir were significant and bear
testimony to his valuable contributions.

Past pupils would
remember him, affectionately called "Canto" among the students,
a stately figure, tall and well built, striding smartly, sometimes in his
spruce uniform, through the portals of Royal College of yore in his
inimitable way.

In an article titled,
"A Little on Scouting", which he wrote in the 1969 Silver
Jubilee Souvenir, Lt. Col. Cantlay aptly quotes BP thus: "Happiness
doesn't come from being rich nor merely from being successful in your
career, nor by self-indulgence. One step towards happiness is to make
yourself healthy and strong while you are a boy, so that you can be
useful, and so can enjoy life when you are a man."

Every Royalist who
learnt at Lt. Col. Cantlay's feet would pray for his presence at the Grand
Golden Jubilee in 1994, and offer a silent prayer for his continued good
health, long and productive life, prosperity and peace of mind, all of
which, God Willing, presently prevail.

Letters
from Laki

Daily
News Mar 12 1990

My
dear Sir,

I
thought this diary would be useful to you and would bring back memories of
your days in the CCC.

I
am now a Surgeon Commander in the Volunteer Navy and get involved in First
Aid training etc., both with the Army and Navy. I always remember, with
gratitude, the First Aid training that you gave us.

Here's
hoping that this note finds you in the best of health & spirits.

With
very kind regards

Your
obedient student

Laki
Dissanayake

(written
to the Lt. Col. Cantlay on 12 Jan 1987)

My
dear Sir,

I
received your letter sent through a patient with a hernia. I will attend
to his matter.

It
was very nice to hear from you & to get your address. I am glad that
you find the place to your satisfaction.

Please
sir, do come and spend a few days with us at Nawalapitiya whenever you
feel like a change from Kandy.

The
telephone is to the hospital & my quarters is on an extension.

So
if you give a call you can confirm whether we are in & come. I shall
make it a point to see you when I next come to Kandy.

If
there is anything special that I can bring for you or get my wife to make
for you - please do not hesitate to write or phone. You have done so much
for me, that even to repay a small amount of that debt will give me great
satisfaction. Thanking you again sir, for writing. I remain

Your
student

Lakdasa

(Written
on 12 Sep 1980)

Anatomy
Dept.,

Faculty
of Medicine,

University
of Ceylon,

Peradeniya

22/12/71

My
dear Sir,

Just
a short note to wish you & Mrs Cantlay a very Happy Christmas &
Bright New Year.

I
am presently attached to the University as a Demonstrator in Anatomy,
though I am studying for higher exams.

I
do hope, sir, that you are keeping in good health & continuing to do
good work in your area?

I
intend getting married in February 1972 and shall inform you about the
details later.

Once
my exam is over I must drop in and see you.

With
kind regards

Your
obedient pupil,

Lakdasa
Dissanayake

Home
for the Elders built by Buddhists in Memory of George V

Rohan
Jayatilleke, Gannoruwa Group correspondent,

Daily
News, Tue Apr 2 1991

HRH
George V Golden Jubilee Memorial Home for Elders at Mahaiyyawa Road, Kandy,
is run by the Little Sisters of the Poor.

The
history of the Home dates back to the period of the British Raj. In 1937,
a group of Buddhist businessmen who celebrated the birthday of King George
V (which falls on June 3) every year, wished to construct a memorial for
his 50th birthday which fell that year.

They
spoke to the then GA Kandy, an Englishman who was very enthusiastic about
the idea. He asked them to seek the assistance of the late Rev Bishop
Regno. The bshop in turn made arrangements for the Little Sisters of the
Poor to manage and run the Home under the guidance of Rev Sister Mary
Immaculate.

The
site on which the Home was located had been used during and after WW I to
house Boer prisoners of war.

After
the prisoners were repatriated, the place was abandoned. The Group of
Buddhists built the Home here. Governor Stubbs opened the Home in 1938. At
that time there were nine male and eight female inmates.

During
its early years, the nuns and inmates who were in good health, used to
push a cart around the town, in order to collect provisions from
well-wishers. However a formal system of obtaining provisions was found to
be necessary.

The
Social Services Department began to make a monthly grant of Rs 50 per
inmate, which has now been increased to Rs 100.However, this amount is
grossly inadequate.

Hence
the donations which the Home still receive is welcome.

Prospective
applicants who are destitute are processed by the Social Services
Department and are entitled to its monthly grant.

Others
who are able to pay for their board and lodging are admitted by the nuns.

Inmates
come from all walks of life. Lieutenant Colonel MKJ Cantlay, ED, JP, for
instance is a paying guest at the Home. He is a former Scout-Master of
Royal College, Colombo. he was involved in scouting at that school for
over 25 years and to many a Royalist is still affectionately known as
"Canto". In fact his room is filled with scouting memorabilia.
He can also count a number of Ministers of every Cabinet, among his
students. At 74, he is a tall and stately figure, an excellent raconteur
with a photographic memory, who now enjoys his life at thie Home.

Lt.
Col. Cantlay Turns 80

AFS
- Daily
News, Sat Mar 13 1993

Royal
College records him from 13.9.1943 to 31.3.1969. Old Boys still remember
him, Strapper, sometimes in army-officer uniform, striding smartly through
the College corridors, stentorian voice speaking impeccable English and
Sinhala; a smattering of Tamil; Cadet Contingent Commander, Group Scout
Master, athletics instructor, and teacher.

At
Royal during that dynamic quarter century, that was the indefatigable MKJ
Cantlay, who celebrates his 80th birthday today, March 13.

A
resourceful commanding officer of the 3rd Battalion of the Ceylon Cadet
Corps (CCC), Cantlay rose to the rank of Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel.
Earlier on he received the Efficiency Decoration (ED) on completion of the
mandatory 10-years service in the Volunteer Force prior to Independence.
In post retirement, he was appointed a Justice of the Peace.

Woodbadge
Scouter in 1944; Commander of the Cadet Contingent; GSM; Medalof Merit in
1969, Challenge Shield for the best Senior Scout in 1990; District
Commissioner in the District Branch Association; Kandy District Badge
Examiner after retirement in 1969; culminating early this year as a
veteran of Scouting - the highest award in scouting, Cantlay established
as the wizard of scoutcraft, continues to educate youth in hism peaceful
self-built quarters at the Mahaiyyawa Home for the Elders in the hills of
Kandy.

At
age 21, he began his first Scout Troop at St. Joseph's School in his
hometown, Gampola. Four years later, in 1938, he gave life to the almost
defunct Scout Troop in Nawalapitiya a St. Mary's College, which later
produced a District Commissioner of Colombo. Next, he joined the
prestigious Royal College staff, urging principal EL Bradby on 16.6.1944
to start a Scout Troop which he went on to nurture for over 25 years up to
his retirement.

One
time UN representative, Daya Perera, the late Surgeon - Commander Lakdasa
Dissanayake, are just a few of the thousands who were guided by Col.
Cantlay, the guru. Cantlay, an institution in himself, epitomized the good
life and upheld the noble traditions of Scouting's pioneer, the
illustrious Lord Baden Powell of Gilwell or BP.

Still
looking as bright as the sun, Cantlay now anxiously awaits Royal College
42nd Colombo Scout Group's Grand Golden Jubilee celebrations scheduled for
1994. Past-pupils, scouts, cadets,and friends wish him a long and healthy
life of peace and prosperity, now, and in the future.

Teacher,
Group Scouter, cadet Contingent Commander, and PT Instructor, Cantlay
began the Scout Troop under Principal EL Bradby at Royal College on
16.6.1944. He was present last year at the Golden Jubilee celebrations of
the 42nd Group.

All
old Royalists who were fortunate to come under his tutelage from 13.9.1943
to 31.3.1969 wish him good health, peace of mind and prosperity, and
gratefully convey, "A big thank you to you, Sir, for
everything."

May
his day be a happy one at his neat self-built lodgings at the mahaiyyawa
Home for the Elders in Kandy, where he continues to lead a productive life
in teaching students who seek his invaluable knowledge.

Mr.
M.K.J. Cantlay 1913-1997

Sunday
Observer, Dec 7, 1997

May
he Rest in Peace

Venerated
retired teacher, Royal College, Colombo; Lieutenant-Colonel Ceylon Cadet
Corps (Retd); late Scout Master; died at Kandy on 13 November and was laid
to rest at the Mahaiyyawa Cemetery. Our grateful thanks to those who
looked after him in the last years of his life and honored him in death,
especially the Rev Sister Antoinette Maria, Sister Superior of the Home
for Elders, Mahaiyyawa; Prof C Ratnatunga of the Peradeniya Teaching
Hospital; Major General TN de Silva, Commandant/Director National cadet
Corps; Col GG Premachandra, Commanding Officer and the Cadets of the 2nd
Batallion, National Cadet Corps; and Mr Viswa Weerasooria. Inserted with
respect and gratitude by his pupils.